Meet the Team

Melanie - Managing Director

"I was born in Jersey a couple of years after my parents met here on holiday and decided to relocate. Over the years my parents ran their own very successful guesthouse and so I grew up in the hustle and bustle of Jersey as a tourist destination in the 70’s and 80’s. In those days guests would return year after year for their two week summer holiday and guests became friends that you looked forward to welcoming back year after year.

My husband, Roger and I bought Freedom Holidays from the original owners, and long term family friends, allowing them to retire in December 2016. I am passionate about the personal touch that Freedom Holidays offers to all our clients, and want you to enjoy the Islands whether you are booking for your first time, or whether you are a regulars that return year after year.

Roger and I are lucky enough to have travelled and seen many wonderful places, but there really is no place like Jersey. With our dramatic coastlines and breathtaking sunsets, world class beaches, traditional high street and networks of country lanes all perfectly laid out in a compact location, we feel that the Channel Islands are a perfect place to holiday. The Islands are incredibly special, only a stone’s throw from the UK, yet surrounded by sea makes us feel like you are a million miles away".

Likes - "spending time with my 2 children and especially enjoy long summer nights, bbq's on the beach and watching the sun go down with family and friends".

Favourite place to eat - "with such a large choice of restaurants on the island it's hard to pick a favourite, but I always choose one with a view - El Tico is a firm favourite but you will often find us at the Line Up in St Ouen's bay with a hot chocolate, catching up with friends".

Favourite activity - "we love nipping off with friends on a rib to dolphin spot or take a picnic to local reefs like Les Ecrehous or one of the smaller channel Islands like Sark. I also love running and took part in the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon raising money for Jersey Hospice Care".

Deborah - Office Manager

Deborah is a fundamental part of the team, and a very friendly, familiar voice to our regular client base having worked here since 1990!

"Freedom Holidays has been a very large part of my life, having worked here for nearly 30 years! I have met some lovely people over the years, many I would like to consider now friends not just customers. I have seen babies grow in to young adults and many teenagers now bring families of their own to Jersey.

I hope to continue to help clients old and new with their holiday plans for a few more years!

When not working, we like to eat out when we can and travel, we have been to Italy two years on the trot, Sorrento last year and Lake Como this year and would definitely like to return – I loved it"!

Likes – "spending time with family and friends especially walking Ralph, our son’s French Bulldog".

Favourite place to eat – "There are so many amazing restaurants in Jersey to eat, but breakfast is my favourite meal of the day so the golf club is where you will find me most Sunday mornings with my coffee and scrambled eggs!"

Favourite things to do – "We love going to London for long weekends. We do a little shopping and a lot of eating, we have made some lovely friends on our travels and is always nice to catch up with them".

Elaine - Reservations Manager

Elaine joined the team in 2014 with a wealth of experience in the travel and tourism industry having spent many years in the hospitality industry.

"I was born in Northumberland but after working in Jersey for 2 summer seasons in the 1970s I finally settled here in Jersey in 1978. I have 2 grown up children and I have now been blessed with my first grandchild a beautiful baby girl.

I have recently got married to a lovely Jerseyman who has a wealth of knowledge about Jersey which will help me answer questions from clients about the Island.

Having worked in 4 star hotels for many years and then running my own guest house with my first husband, I have a good indication of guests expectations. I enjoy chatting to clients on the telephone and helping them to choose the right property that suits their needs and those of their families.

I love to entertain and enjoy good food and wine and visiting the many lovely restaurants that we have here in Jersey. I also love to travel and have enjoyed many holiday destinations abroad but returning home to Jersey to be with the family and enjoying all Jersey has to offer is certainly welcome".

Likes– "going out for dinner with my husband and catching up with the family and our many friends, whether it is simply for a pizza or an a la carte dinner".

Favourite place to eat – "there is so much choice it’s hard to pin down one particular restaurant. For casual dining and catching up with my girlfriends it is usually The Bar on the Waterfront whereas out for dinner with my husband it could be Sumas Restaurant in Gorey or Gradees restaurant in St Helier".

Favourite activity – "I love to take a day trip to France in the summer to shop and of course have a leisurely lunch".